§ 67. Dr. Barnett Strossasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the price of wheat offered to Britain by the Soviet Union in the recent discussion on trade; and what is the price of wheat today in the open markets of Canada, U.S.A., Argentine and Australia.
§ Mr. BelcherIt would not be in the public interest to disclose details of offers made in the course of trade negotiations but I would point out that in the discussions with the Soviet Union, agreement was reached on the price of wheat and, as the House is aware, it was not on this question that the negotiations failed to achieve success. I understand from my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Food, that the current spot price for wheat in Canada is £32 10s. per long ton, f.o.b. and in the U.S.A. £30 12s. There is no open market price in Argentina or Australia.
§ Dr. StrossWould not my hon. Friend agree that we appear to have lost some advantage through not concluding these negotiations earlier, and may we have an assurance that they will be re-opened and pressed forward as soon as possible?
§ Mr. BelcherThat assurance has been given by my right hon. Friend on a number of occasions.
Mr. BaldwinCould the hon. Gentleman, when giving replies about the price per ton, give it in ordinary tons, not in long tons or bushels, so that we can understand?
§ Mr. BelcherI gave that reply because that is the normal commercial way of dealing with these transactions.